Community Events

Choosing to Participate provides a range of opportunities to bring people of different backgrounds together to consider complicated questions of prejudice and injustice and realize the possibilities for change. Below is the public events series that will be taking place during the Cleveland presentation of the exhibition from October 2009 through February 2010. We also offer workshops for educators to help them think about how to bring these themes into the classroom. Please visit FacingHistory.org for more events in your area.

POSTPONED: Community Conversation featuring Congressman John Lewis
Due to his responsibilities as a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman John Lewis is no longer able to be in Cleveland on December 1. We apologize for this inconvenience. A new date will be announced soon. 
Often called "one of the most courageous persons the civil rights movement ever produced," Congressman Lewis has dedicated his life to protecting human rights, securing civil liberties, and building what he calls "The Beloved Community" in America. This event is part of a national speaker series presented by Facing History and Ourselves and The Allstate Foundation.

October 15
REFUSENIK @ Shaker Square Cinemas
Opening Night of the Mandel JCC Film Festival
A true Choosing to Participate story, REFUSENIK is a retrospective documentary to chronicle the 30-year movement to free Soviet Jews. It shows how a small grassroots effort blossomed into an international human rights campaign.

October 21
Opening Celebration & Benefit Dinner 6:00pm-9pm @WRHS
For ticket and sponsorship information, please call (216) 321-9220.

January 12
Choices in Little Rock featuring Terrence Roberts & Carlotta Walls 7:00pm
On September 23, 1957, nine brave students set off for Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, to continue the federal mandate of school integration. Join these two members of the “Little Rock Nine” in conversation as they look back on the impact and the legacy of their actions. Sponsored by the Cuyahoga County Public Library.

January 18
Family Day at Choosing to Participate 10:00am-12:00pm@WRHS
How do you talk to your children about the difficult choices they face? About what to do when they encounter difference or exclusion? Join us for this unique opportunity for families with children in grades K–6 to come together to engage in activities, storytelling, and conversation about these important lessons.

February 17
Community Conversation and Film Preview of Journey to Freedom film preview with Producer Artemis Joukowsky 7:00pm
Artemis Joukowsky tells the story about his grandparents Waitstill Sharp, a Unitarian minister, and Martha, who just days prior to the Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia left their children in Massachusetts to embark on an uncertain journey. Armed only with their faith and determination, they helped thousands of refugees and assisted anti-Nazi dissidents and Jews as they escaped to safety. The Sharps were recognized as Righteous among the Nations at Yad Vashem—the highest recognition accorded by the state of Israel to non-Jews who risked their lives to save Jews during World War II.